Bahrainis slam proposed pork ban, penalties

Some Bahrainis are publicly criticising a decision to ban pork in the country after MPs approved a law that could see consumers and importers jailed for two years.

The controversial ill approved last month allows sentences of up to two years and fines of up to BD300 ($795) for anyone who imports, sells or possesses pork or pork products, which is forbidden in Islam.

The same Bill also includes stiffer penalties for gambling and could lead to a ban on alcohol, which are also both condemned in Islam, according to local daily Gulf News.

The proposal is yet to be approved by the Shura Council or King Hamad.

Bahrainis have spoken out about the move, claiming it would make the island country too Islamist and would impact on international business.

Bahrainis have lived in a vibrant multicultural society for thousands of years - Bahrain was the first country in the Gulf to allow alcohol, and the building of churches/temples has been allowed for decades. We are proud of our diversity and acceptance of cultures other than our own - tolerance is a key part of Bahraini identity. This is the first step down a slippery slope of intolerance - I am saddened, and I feel confident that most Bahrainis would agree with me.

The more I read all of these ridiculous stories about what neighboring Gulf countries are up to, the happier I am that I live in the UAE. They're not perfect here, obviously--nobody is--but they seem to have gotten the balance right between protecting their heritage and culture and being open and welcoming to others'.

I'm a Muslim and I live on top of a supermarket that has a pork section ("FOR NON-MUSLIMS ONLY"!!!!) and I could not care less. Nor does the majority of the population. Live and let live, people.